Chapter 74 third quarter

Marquis Wen collected 200,000 catties of grain and grass for the second time, which were supplied by the provinces along the way. However, when the front battalion set off, nearly 20 carts were still fully loaded, and they drove out of the south gate of the imperial capital. Usually, to escort food and grass, each car always needs 20 civilian men. Since the front battalion itself has reached 7,000 people, no more civilian men will be dispatched, and all of them will be escorted by the front battalion.In addition to the consumption of food and grass on the road, a full of forty carts were confiscated.

As the front battalion of the most elite ground army in the empire, both Marquis Wen and the prince came out to see him off when they set off.Traveling in the morning and evening, the front battalion passed through Beining City, and after replenishing the insufficient food and grass, they arrived at Xiangzhou on the north bank of the river on the seventh day.This is the largest city in Qilian Province, and Qilian Province is extremely dilapidated. This largest city as a prefecture is also dilapidated. It must be difficult for Governor Qilian to receive the army of 7,000 people. Fortunately, Chu Xiuhong I also thought of this, so I only rested in the city for one night, replenished the food and grass I used, and then set off again.At the reception banquet, the governor of Qilian also said that because of the war, the people displaced, and the province of Qilian became more and more dilapidated. Now, as the governor, he can only command a small area in the north of the province, and most of the southwest is out of reach. I don’t know if there is a A surprise attack team of snake people entered the area.There is no garrison in Qilian Province, and the governor himself is only a thousand soldiers, and these thousand soldiers can only support themselves by farming, and it is not easy to support themselves.

Leaving Xiangzhou, there are still six days' journey to reach Dajiang, and on the other side of the river is Pangruo City.Pangruo City claims to be built along the river, but in fact it is three miles away from the big river. There, the two armies of water and fire set up formations along the river to confront the snake man Jiajiang.The river has been blocked, and it is difficult to transport it upstream by water, and it is also very difficult to transport it by land.There is a saying in the art of war, soldiers and horses are not moved, food and grass go first. In the past, Marquis Wu of the empire led the southern expedition to the rebel army. It was because the food and grass were not enough, and the entire army of the 100,000 southern expedition was wiped out by the snake people. Soldiers learned from the painful experience and never dared to be careless about food and grass.

On the first day after leaving Xiangzhou, I should have just rested and walked a hundred miles a day, which was the fastest day since I set off.The avenue was cut off here, and there were no people in front of it, and it was desolate everywhere. Occasionally, I saw a few villages, which were also full of bones and empty. Chu Xiuhong was riding on a horse, staring at the front in a daze, Cao Wendao patted his horse and said, "Tong Zhi, there is Ma Dang Mountain in front of him, and we are going to take the mountain road soon. Do you want to hurry up and talk about it after passing Ma Dang Mountain?"

If something happens, it will be on the road ahead.Chu Xiuhong said in a low voice: "The next few hundred miles are all mountain roads, and the terrain is very dangerous. Shi Mengxiong's grain transportation team must have had an accident on this section of the road. Ask the brothers to make food and repair the vehicles. Take a rest and leave early tomorrow." Cao Wendao said with a smile, "Controlling, I'm not boasting, the seven thousand brothers in our front battalion are no match for Meng Xiong's two thousand men. " Chu Xiuhong's complexion was still very serious, and he said: "Don't underestimate Shi Mengxiong. Although he didn't make any great achievements, he was also promoted by Lord Wenhou, and he was by no means an ordinary person. What's more, the two men he led Thousands of people are new troops, and their combat power is not weak, plus two thousand civilians, four thousand people will disappear without a trace, and those who do it are by no means easy to deal with."

Cao Wendao's face darkened, and he said, "Maybe he was ambushed." "That's right. If we really want to attack from the front, then that army must be at least equal in strength to Shi Mengxiong's army. But I really can't believe that the bandits can reach two thousand. And if two thousand bandits can be eliminated If Shi Mengxiong said, then I am afraid this is not a bandit." Cao Wendao was slightly startled, and said, "Control, you mean, maybe the regular army did the attack? Could it be the Republican Army?" The Republican Army was allied with the Empire, but it was known that this alliance was not strong.The Republican Army is obviously a friendly army, and it may not be impossible to secretly snatch the Imperial Food Transport Team.But Chu Xiuhong shook his head and said: "Not really. First of all, this is Jiangbei, and it is too far away from Wuyang City, the home of the Republican Army. Besides, the Republican Army is not ignorant of the general situation. If the Imperial Army loses, they will be even worse. Difficult. The Lord of Wuyang City is not an ordinary person, and he will not fail to see this."

Cao Wendao thought for a while, then suddenly said: "Could it be the Xifu Army?" Chu Xiuhong frowned, and just said in a low voice: "I don't know. It's not impossible, but Tao Shouzhuo is not a person who doesn't know his priorities." He sighed, and said: "No matter who did it, Lord Wenhou There is an order, once you encounter it, you will cut the weeds and wipe out the roots, leaving no one behind." Cao Wendao's eyes flashed, and he said, "Obey." At this time, a soldier came over and said, "General Chu, the meal is ready, should I bring it to you or go over to eat?"

Chu Xiuhong said: "Let me go." He whispered again: "Brother Cao, accompany me to explore the road after eating." Cao Wendao sighed.In other legions, most generals have dedicated cooks, but Chu Xiuhong's unified battalion does not have one.Chu Xiuhong said that those who cannot share joys and sorrows cannot convince the crowd, so they eat the same food from top to bottom.Cao Wendao admired Chu Xiuhong very much, but he was very dissatisfied with this point, and proposed several times to set up a general stove like other legions, but Chu Xiuhong sternly rejected it, so he dared not mention it again.

When the army set off, all the food they brought was dry cakes, dried vegetables and dried meat.Naturally, the taste of these things will not be good. Cao Wendao ate a bowl of batter indiscriminately to fill his stomach. As soon as he put down the bowl, Chu Xiuhong said: "Brother Cao, have you finished eating?" Cao Wendao wiped his mouth and said, "Okay, okay." He jumped on his mount and said, "Guanzhi, where are we going?" "just in front." Chu Xiuhong pointed forward with the whip.Cao Wendao saw that he was only accompanied by the ten guards, his heart moved, and he thought: "Is the ruler worried about fighting with others?" They used to belong to the death squad of Lu Gongxing under the command of the second prince. He was beheaded, and Lu Gongxing committed suicide. These ten people obeyed Lu Gongxing's order before he died, and became Chu Xiuhong's guards.These ten swordsmen are ten swordsmen who were born in the legal system. They are not good at riding, shooting and stabbing, but they are first-class swordsmen.

Twelve people walked together on horseback, Ten Swords Zhan walked in front, Chu Xiuhong and Cao Wendao followed behind.At this time, the setting sun is on the mountain, and the slanting light is half hidden, reflecting the whole mountain red.Looking at the scenery on both sides, Chu Xiuhong sighed: "Brother Cao, what do you want to do if the war ends?" Cao Wendao was taken aback, unable to recover for a while, and said, "The war is over?" He thought about it, smiled, and said, "I haven't thought about it either. Anyway, there should be a position at that time, to ask for a wife, to have a baby." Dui sons, just live like this. Commander, don't blame me for lack of ambition."

Chu Xiuhong also laughed: "Where, I think so too. Alas, I only hope that the war will end as soon as possible, and the common people in the world can live in peace. How good that would be." "Of course. It's just that I don't know what else I can do if I can't fight the war." There was some sadness in Cao Wendao's words.He has a rough temper and is not without recklessness. I'm afraid he has never thought about these things. If Chu Xiuhong hadn't mentioned them, he might never have thought about them.Chu Xiuhong said: "Let's talk about these at that time. If it is really possible not to fight, it is good to beg for food." Cao Wendao said with a smile: "Controlling, you are one of the most famous generals in the empire, and you are actually less ambitious than me. If others hear about it, they will say that you are not heroic." Chu Xiuhong said: "What is ambition? If you want to climb up on other people's corpses, then these so-called heroes should be few." He raised his head, and suddenly said in a low voice: "Actually, sometimes I feel It’s the Republican Army who ruled the world, so there’s nothing wrong with that.” Cao Wendao was taken aback.Although the Republican Army is now allied with the Empire, these words are still taboo.He was speechless in shock, and Chu Xiuhong also felt that she had slipped her words, and said in a low voice, "Brother Cao, this is just a random word, so don't take it to heart. Sigh, sometimes people can't help themselves." Cao Wendao didn't speak anymore, but his heart was still turning upside down.He thought to himself: "Does the governor have the heart to defect to the Republican Army? If he changes his flag, should I follow him?" After thinking for a long time, he still couldn't make up his mind.At this time, someone in front suddenly shouted: "Who is it?"